Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 39402

Natural Hazard Profile: ZIP 39402, Mississippi

ZIP 39402 covers part of the Hattiesburg area, in the Deep South. The surrounding region experiences very hot, humid summers and mild winters, with overlapping tornado and hurricane seasons shaping the natural hazards that residents of this ZIP code face. Risk scores here are derived from FEMA data for the encompassing county.

FEMA rates ZIP 39402's composite natural disaster risk at 6.5 out of 10 — high risk. Tropical cyclones are the dominant hazard, with the area facing threats from both direct landfalling hurricanes and the outer rain bands and storm surge of systems making landfall nearby. Residents should also account for wildfire and heat risk in their preparedness planning.

ZIP 39402's risk score, slightly above the 6.1/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA, the highest-scoring are hurricane, wildfire, and heat. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, ZIP 39402 residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for hurricane and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.